A compromise by design

Originally published: March 12, 2012

SMALL

MEDIUM

LARGE

The Scoop

Ever since BMW took over the Mini brand just over a decade ago, sales have been very strong. Next time you are driving about, especially in urban areas, have a look for these tiny packages of “fun on four wheels” — they are everywhere. Not content to sell the “new Mini” in its traditional three-door hatch configuration, BMW has stretched it into a convertible, a wagon called the Clubman and even a compact crossover called the Countryman. This year ushers in the next stage of Mini evolution with a two-seater coupe, along with a two-seater roadster — basically a convertible version of the coupe. The coupe is a sportier, sleeker take on the original three-door design.

The Skin

Taking an already short car and turning it into a sleeker coupe design must have been a challenge for the designers. The front windshield has been placed at a steeper angle; the back hatch is no longer square; and the rear pillars are wrapped in glass to provide an almost floating roof. Speaking of the roof, it is substantially lower than that of the regular model, and because of this rear visibility is affected. It is easy to say that this coupe version is about compromises on behalf of design and on the part of the owner. The design limits the outward visibility and cargo capacity and the owner has to be able to live with the confined dimensions in order to be seen in such an eye-catching car. As with all other Mini models, there is a base model called Cooper, a higher horsepower model called S and an ultra high-performance model called John Cooper Works.

The Cockpit

It is interesting to note that Mini has one of the highest resale values in the business, yet scores very poorly in the JD Power and Associates Initial Quality Study. JD Power not only studies repairs but complaints about design and functionality. Basically, the interior of any Mini is a mishmash of toggle switches, push button switches, rocker switches and rotary dials. Then buttons and switches are scattered throughout the cabin with no sense of order. It takes a while to figure it all out. It could be said that while these cars are quirky and the owners are at times frustrated with their complexity, the overall ownership experience is good. Buyers considering the coupe should pay extra attention to how well they are able to see out of the vehicle due to the low roof. Being able to see traffic lights out the front window and more than one car through the rear window is difficult for taller buyers.

The Ride

Once on the road, all the Mini goodness comes to the surface and the quirks of this little car fall behind. A run to 100 km/h in the Cooper S version takes only 6.9 seconds. The S model has a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 184 hp. It feels fast and nimble, the exhaust gargles on throttle lift, making it seem faster, plus the manual transmission is a joy to throw around. It’s no stretch to say that this coupe feels even more go kart-like than the regular car; it is 45 kg lighter and has three more horsepower. So, yes it is quicker, just slightly. One of the things that make this car so much fun is the engine and road noise that provides a sporty soundtrack. That’s also bad, because at highway speeds this car is noisy and fatiguing. If you drive a lot on the highway, this might not be the Mini for you. The base model comes with the same 1.6-litre engine but it isn’t turbocharged and it provides just 122 hp. If you can afford the stretch for the turbo, go for it; you will never regret it.

The Good, The Bad

Good: Very cool-looking car with go-kart handling.

Bad: Some drivers might not fit inside and visibility is at a premium.

Zack’s verdict

The Mini Coupe starts at roughly $26,000 and the Cooper S version seen here starts at around $31,000, which represents about a $2,000 premium over the regular models. To recap, the Coupe has no back seats, a small cargo area and it’s loud. But it’s an absolute blast to drive. Acceleration and handling are at the top of this rather tiny class. The fact that the Mini brand has such a strong following, with excellent resale value, shows the blind eye many buyers turn to its shortcomings. The person who is attracted to this car will not care one bit about any of this. I’m sure buyers will be even more thrilled with a quirkier version of a quirky car.